Preparing Your Home for Sale

The spring sales season is nearly upon us and if you are thinking about putting your home on the market, now is the time to start prepping. Below, we’ve outlined some stress-free tips and tricks for ensuring your home shines in its best light.  

The First Impression

Your home’s curb appeal is an integral part of the selling process because it will both draw interest from buyers as they view your home online and it will give them their first impression of the home when they come to tour it. There are a few key items you can address to ensure your home stuns even before they step through the front door:

  • Clean, clean, clean: Many buyers will gather an idea of how well taken care of your home is by how the outside looks, even if there is no correlation between your grimy siding and the well-maintained interior. Cleaning your siding with a power washer and emptying the gutters can go a long way in making a good first impression.

  • Landscape: While landscaping might be incidental in the winter months, it vastly improves curb appeal in the spring. This can be as simple as mowing the lawn and weeding the garden, or a little more in-depth, with the addition of a few perennials and décor.

  • Craft an inviting entrance: Pick up a new welcome mat for buyers to put their feet on as they open the door and consider ways to make your front porch or entry inviting. For a quick refresh, consider adding a plant or two, replacing faded house numbers or touching up paint.

The Interior

Of course, the inside of the home should be as impressive as the exterior. Avoid buyer turn-offs by addressing the following:

  • Make repairs: If there are any major defects or items in need of repair, take the time to address them. Big or small, an item in need of attention signals to a buyer that the home is not necessarily care for as well as it should be. Take the time to take care of things, whether it’s replacing a cracked window or putting in a new outlet.

  • Declutter and depersonalize: Though you might not mind a small mess and love the family photos that adorn your home, these items can deter buyers. For example, however convenient it is for you, keeping too many small appliances on the kitchen counter can signal to a buyer that there isn’t enough storage space to keep things put away. In line with this, organize closets and cupboards so buyers can see the great storage available. And as much as you adore your personal items, too many can prevent a buyer from envisioning their own life in the home, and thus may be better suited for temporary storage.

  • Clean, clean, clean: As is the case with the outside of your home, a thorough deep clean of the interior is a necessity. From top to bottom, the goal should be to make the entire home shine. When cleaning, be sure to neutralize pet or other odors and consider adding a welcoming scent during showings or open houses, such as fresh baked cookies or vanilla.  

For more tips on preparing your home for sale, feel free to reach out to us — we love to share our expert insight with our clients!